Dentistry For Children: How To Foster A Positive Dental Attitude
A positive dental attitude in children is a key aspect that will help them comply with dental health care for the rest of their lives.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), specific behavior guidance techniques can be applied by dentists and parents to promote a positive dental attitude in children.
These behavior guidance techniques involve both pharmacological and non-pharmacological aspects.
Here is an overview of the most effective guidance techniques that can be adopted.
1.
Dentist Behavior Communication skills adopted by dentists play a key role in fostering a positive dental attitude.
Every dentist must be keenly aware of suitable communications styles, which children and parents are likely to notice.
Such communication styles will impact on the satisfaction of patients and parents.
Indeed, a 2001 study on dental care patients with disabilities in Kansas revealed that particular dentist behaviors were linked to low patient satisfaction.
Such behaviors include: not properly explaining procedures, rushing through appointments, being impatient and barring parents from examination rooms.
A dentist must avoid such behaviors if he/ she intends to foster a positive dental attitude in children.
2.
Pain Management A 2008 report, published in the journal 'Pain', revealed that a painful past dental or medical visit is a possible cause of fear or behavior problems in patients.
This means that pain management is a critical aspect in fostering a positive dental attitude.
Simply by preventing pain, the dentist will allay fears and anxieties that children may have, while building trust and nurturing a long-term relationship for future visits.
Not every child reacts to pain in the exact same way.
Therefore, dentists must be aware of the difference in painful stimuli perception exhibited by children.
This is particularly so with different age groups.
For instance, 4-year-olds possess greater sensitivity to painful stimuli, despite having a lower capacity to communicate this when compared with older children.
A dental professional would always keenly observe a child's behavior and listen to his/her audible reactions during treatment.
Typical tell-tale signs include contorted facial expressions, complaining, crying and agitated body movements.
These aspects will give a clearer perception of what the child feels, even when the child doesn't communicate this.
A dentist must never develop "pain blindness" by underestimating the patient's level of pain.
In fact, dentists would be better placed to diagnose the situation simply by observing a patient's signs of distress.
After all, only the patient knows exactly where it hurts and how much it hurts.
3.
Parental Influence Dental professionals aren't the only ones who can foster a positive dental attitude in children.
Parents can also offer a significant contribution, especially if the child has already experienced a negative dental experience.
In such a situation, the dentist would have a hard time trying to change the perspective of such a child who has developed a negative perception towards dentistry.
It's also important that parents are prepared before a child's dental visit, so that they don't affect those kids with their own personal anxieties.
Such preparation may require a pre-visit just to get acquainted with the procedures involved.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), specific behavior guidance techniques can be applied by dentists and parents to promote a positive dental attitude in children.
These behavior guidance techniques involve both pharmacological and non-pharmacological aspects.
Here is an overview of the most effective guidance techniques that can be adopted.
1.
Dentist Behavior Communication skills adopted by dentists play a key role in fostering a positive dental attitude.
Every dentist must be keenly aware of suitable communications styles, which children and parents are likely to notice.
Such communication styles will impact on the satisfaction of patients and parents.
Indeed, a 2001 study on dental care patients with disabilities in Kansas revealed that particular dentist behaviors were linked to low patient satisfaction.
Such behaviors include: not properly explaining procedures, rushing through appointments, being impatient and barring parents from examination rooms.
A dentist must avoid such behaviors if he/ she intends to foster a positive dental attitude in children.
2.
Pain Management A 2008 report, published in the journal 'Pain', revealed that a painful past dental or medical visit is a possible cause of fear or behavior problems in patients.
This means that pain management is a critical aspect in fostering a positive dental attitude.
Simply by preventing pain, the dentist will allay fears and anxieties that children may have, while building trust and nurturing a long-term relationship for future visits.
Not every child reacts to pain in the exact same way.
Therefore, dentists must be aware of the difference in painful stimuli perception exhibited by children.
This is particularly so with different age groups.
For instance, 4-year-olds possess greater sensitivity to painful stimuli, despite having a lower capacity to communicate this when compared with older children.
A dental professional would always keenly observe a child's behavior and listen to his/her audible reactions during treatment.
Typical tell-tale signs include contorted facial expressions, complaining, crying and agitated body movements.
These aspects will give a clearer perception of what the child feels, even when the child doesn't communicate this.
A dentist must never develop "pain blindness" by underestimating the patient's level of pain.
In fact, dentists would be better placed to diagnose the situation simply by observing a patient's signs of distress.
After all, only the patient knows exactly where it hurts and how much it hurts.
3.
Parental Influence Dental professionals aren't the only ones who can foster a positive dental attitude in children.
Parents can also offer a significant contribution, especially if the child has already experienced a negative dental experience.
In such a situation, the dentist would have a hard time trying to change the perspective of such a child who has developed a negative perception towards dentistry.
It's also important that parents are prepared before a child's dental visit, so that they don't affect those kids with their own personal anxieties.
Such preparation may require a pre-visit just to get acquainted with the procedures involved.
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